Chapter 4

Eight years ago...

Gibbs couldn't help it. He was shocked and he showed it.

"You're doing...what?" he asked.

"I'm adding you to the new Observer program," Morrow said.

"I don't think so," Gibbs said, looking at the two strangers in the room. "I'm not interested. Thanks though." He stood to leave.

"This wasn't a request, Agent Gibbs," one man said, firmly. "This is an order. You comply or you're no longer part of NCIS."

Gibbs was half-tempted to leave, and perhaps Morrow could see it. He stood up and looked at the other two men.

"Could we have a moment, please, gentlemen?"

They nodded and left the office.

"What is this crap, Tom?" Gibbs demanded as soon as the door closed.

"This crap is trying to save your life, Jethro."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about that near miss you had. I'm talking about Chris Pacci being killed. I'm talking about the fact that we are at war."

"That's..."

But Morrow wasn't done. "We are, and it's about time you acknowledged it. No, this war isn't between two nations. It's not even organized on a national scale, but it's a war. Every major city in this country has seen a spike in violent crime over the last five years. Every major city in this country has seen murders and assaults of law enforcement officials go up by at least 300 percent. In DC, it's more like 500. This is a war. The war is between the criminals and the police...and we're losing, Jethro. Just look in any newspaper and you'll see how badly we're losing. Iraqi police don't have as much to worry about as officers in the good old U.S.A. do. The Observer program has been set up to make it easier to protect the law enforcement officers who go out every day. Up to now, it's only been the heads of agencies and precincts, but they're expanding and every federal agency has been asked to submit lists of those who should be protected."

"I don't need protection from some voice in my ear, Tom. How is that going to help?"

"That voice has already saved my neck at least twice."

Gibbs was suddenly quiet.

"When?"

"It hasn't made the news. That's the point. What we're trying to do is fight back both in the media and on the streets. We need the journalists rooting for us again. We need people to have confidence in the judicial system again. I don't know how we lost so much ground so fast, but we have and now we have to scramble to get it back."

"And you really think forcing me into this is going to help?"

"You think you're not in danger?"

"No more than Kate or Tony."

"Someone gets targeted...and it's not the rank and file."

Gibbs sighed.

"Gibbs, I'm serious about this. You and Lovitz both here. If they ever expand the program to include the rank and file, I'll put all my MCRTs on it."

"So I have to have some thing stuck in my head?"

"It's called the Observer com. It's a microphone just like you put on whenever you go out. Only this one is implanted." He turned his head slightly so that Gibbs could see that small device. "It's easy to use. Even a dinosaur like you can handle it," Morrow said with a smile.

"Permanent?"

"You're entitled to permanent protection until you die, but if you want to have it removed when you retire, feel free. It's easily removed. I don't want to lose you, Gibbs."

Gibbs sighed again and then nodded. "Fine. When does this rigamarole start?"

"Now." Morrow went to the door and let the Observers back into his office.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x

"So, Boss, how is it having that thing in your head?" Tony asked.

Gibbs gave Tony a death glare and then looked back at the list of Observers. All he got was a name, a list of their degrees, and their record as an Observer. None of them did anything for him.

Kate and Tony came and looked over his shoulder.

"Well, I wouldn't take this one," Kate said, pointing at one on the list.

"Why not?" Tony asked. "A good record. His training is good."

"That's my point. He's good, but haven't you ever heard of opposites attract?"

"He's picking someone to talk to him, not his next ex-wife, Kate."

"Someone who is supposed to keep him from being in danger." She looked at the list again. "Actually, I wouldn't pick anyone on this list. You should ask for another selection."

"This is already my third list."

Tony laughed. "Big surprise."

"Well, if they're serious about this, Gibbs, they'll give you another list."

"Right." Gibbs wished they wouldn't.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x

Tim sat looking at the computers. He was fully trained now. He'd had a few short-term assignments and he now had three long-term charges, but they were all retirees who were deciding whether or not they still wanted the be a part of the program.

Mostly, what he was doing was boring.

"Watching. This is not what I want," he muttered. Over the last few weeks, he'd seriously begun considering quitting and figuring something else out.

A beep warned him of official contact from the Observer program.

"Yes? This is Observer Timothy McGee."

"Good. This is Observer Milton. You are being put on a list of recommended Observers for NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs."

In spite of his disillusionment, Tim was intrigued.

"Why me? You had given me to understand that I wasn't the right kind of Observer for someone like that."

"You're not. But Agent Gibbs has rejected three sets of suggested Observers. You're at the other end of the spectrum. We're getting desperate."

Tim laughed. "Better that than nothing, I guess. Sure, okay. I mean, thank you for letting me know. I'll make sure I'm available."

There was a pause and then Milton continued. "We're sending a line of code to include. It's the tone for Agent Gibbs' com. You can listen to a test of it and then be ready if he decides to contact you."

"Thank you, Observer Milton. I appreciate the chance."

"You've not been shunted aside because you lack the skills. You're just not typical Observer material and we're not sure where you'll do most good."

"Thank you."

"Good luck, Observer McGee."

There was the telltale click. Tim grinned. He could only hope that this Gibbs would contact him. With something to anticipate, he was excited enough to answer the requests for his assistance for people who likely didn't need protection anymore.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x

Another day. Another list. Gibbs could tell they were getting annoyed with how long it was taking. They probably thought he was genuinely trying to be difficult...but for once it wasn't true. If he was going to do this, he was going to make sure it was done right. That meant picking the right person...but it was so difficult to pick the right person when he got so little information. He had asked for more and been told that wasn't how it worked.

"Timothy McGee," he muttered to himself. That was a rather normal name. Then, he looked at the listed degrees...and there were more than he expected to see. A bachelor's degree in computer science from MIT? Another in bio-medical engineering from Johns Hopkins? A master's degree in computer forensics from MIT? Who was this person that he'd give up the potential for success to be an Observer?

His gut told him this was the right choice. He stood up and walked to Morrow's office, requested to speak to the Observers and waited for them to arrive. As soon as they walked in, he looked at them and thrust the list out.

"This one. Timothy McGee. He's who I want."

He could have sworn he had surprised the unflappable Observers...although they covered it well.

"There will be a probationary period..."

"Won't be necessary," Gibbs interrupted. "He's the one I want."

"It's required, Agent Gibbs, but it's nice to see you so confident about it. If you'll come with me, I'll show you how to contact him. It will be slightly longer this first time, but after that, you will be linked in to Observer McGee's com and contacting him will be a simple affair."

They walked out of Morrow's office and down to the bullpen.

"Hey, Boss! Who did you pick?"

"McGee..." Gibbs began and then was cut off.

"It is not appropriate to spread the name around. That is how security is broken," the Observer said sternly. "Do not risk the entire program by making those involved known."

Gibbs rolled his eyes but then walked with the Observer to learn how to contact the new voice in his head.

"I will be outside. If you have trouble, you may come out and get me." Then, he walked out.

Gibbs took a deep breath and reached back behind his ear and touched the small button. There was a very soft click.

"Hello, Agent Gibbs. This is your Observer, Timothy McGee. How may I help you? My monitor shows that you are inside NCIS Headquarters on the Navy Yard."

Gibbs gritted his teeth at the robotic greeting. If this was some kind of computer, he'd be extremely miffed.

"I'm contacting you as I'm required to do. Don't expect to hear from me much," he growled.

There was a brief pause and then, the voice changed to one only marginally softer than his own.

"Actually, Agent Gibbs, you're mistaken. Anytime you're stupid enough to leave NCIS Headquarters on your own, you will not be able to even drive your car if you don't contact me first. Based on your track record, I find it highly unlikely that you'll suddenly stop throwing caution to the winds. Get used to me being around. I'm not going away unless you decide that I'm an unsuitable Observer."

The sudden shift from the formal (and admittedly polite) greeting he'd received and the reprimand he'd just been dealt was almost a shock. He couldn't even think of a response for the moment...something about as rare as being taken by surprise.

"Now that we have that out of the way," Tim said, back to his polite tone, "would you like to get a feel for my capabilities and how I can be of help to you or would you like to wait until another time? I have free time at the moment, but I am available to you 24/7 and..."

"Wait," Gibbs said, interrupting. "You're available 24/7? No one can keep up that kind of schedule."

There was a laugh. "If you're thinking I'm a computer, Agent Gibbs, you're mistaken. I'm just as human as you are, and I'm assuming that even you will need to sleep occasionally. That means that I can as well. However, I am linked in to the Observer system at all times and all you have to do is send me a blip and I'll be there."

"So...I'm in charge?"

"Yes. I will not contact you...unless you attempt to engage in the aforementioned disallowed behaviors."

"What is this? Some sort of conditioning?" Gibbs asked suspiciously.

"No. The understanding is that you, being a part of the Observer program, have simply forgotten to contact me when leaving Headquarters alone."

"What about when I'm headed home?"

"This is only for when you are on duty."

"And how will you know the difference?"

"By which car you use. It is expected that, should you unexpectedly need to go on your own in your vehicle on official business, you will contact me, your Observer. Otherwise, I will not know."

"How can I be sure of that?"

"Try it and see," Tim responded. Except for the reprimand, he had not changed his voice from the calm tone he was using now. Gibbs couldn't decide if he was impressed or annoyed by that.

"Oh, I will."

"My job is not to spy on you, Agent Gibbs. My job is to protect you...so that you can protect people like me and stop this country from disintegrating at the hands of people who don't care about human life, don't care about the ideals on which this country was founded. That is the job of every Observer who watches over a law enforcement officer."

Gibbs could tell that this was scripted...but also that it was something that Tim seemed to believe.

"All right, then...do I have to call you Observer McGee?"

"You may call me whatever makes you most comfortable."

"You'll respond to McGee?"

"Yes. I will respond to the use of my surname."

"Good. That's all then."

"You have no further questions?"

"Oh, I have questions, but none that I need to ask you right now."

"If there is nothing further, I will wish you safety. Signing off."

There was another soft click.

"McGee?" he asked.

No response.

"McGee?" he tried again.

Nothing.

He touched the button.

"This is your Observer. Yes, Agent Gibbs? Was there something else?"

"No. Just checking."

"You have no questions to ask at this moment?"

"No."

"Signing off."

Again, that soft click.

"McGee?"

Nothing.

"Okay. I guess you're really not there."

Gibbs sighed. He didn't like this, but since he had it, at least there was a human being on the other end of it...and he did seem to have privacy. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x

Tim smiled as he pulled off his headset. He had someone who would likely not be a boring charge. Gibbs seemed interesting...and he didn't like the program which meant he found it demeaning to be forced to rely on someone else for protection. That meant he'd only call when he really found it necessary. ...and he was part of the MCRT at NCIS Headquarters!

"If I can't have what I want, I guess this is the next best thing," Tim said to his empty apartment. For the first time in months, he smiled.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x

Rule #3

The Observer is ALWAYS available.

There is no time that is the Observer's alone, except in times of illness or injury on the part of the Observer. In such cases, he will have to contact his charge(s) and tell him (them) that there is a substitute in place. In cases of serious injury or illness when contact is not possible, a member of the Observer council will contact the Observer's charge(s) and inform him (them) of such problems.

Any Observer caught violating this rule will be disciplined. If out-of-contact behavior continues, he will be fired.

Rule #43

The Observer may only contact his charge in specific instances:

A. If the charge is attempting to leave the safety of his home base alone and has not contacted the Observer himself.

B. If a danger is communicated to the Observer by another Observer that may affect his charge.

C. If there is a disruption in the com system requiring testing to verify repairs have been successful.

Any Observer caught violating this rule will be disciplined. If inappropriate contact continues, he will be fired.

Rule #50

The Observer will not share personal information with his charge(s).

There is no reason to answer personal questions about the Observer's life. If the charge persists, the Observer will answer with the following statement: "It is irrelevant to the successful work of an Observer to engage in personal commentary." If all else fails, the Observer is authorized in this instance only to end the conversation.

Any Observer caught violating this rule will be disciplined. If personal comments continue, he will be fired.